Google Maps introduces Glanceable Directions, offering real-time updates and turn-by-turn guidance directly on users’ lock screens.


Google Maps is a widely-used navigation application developed by Google, offering users detailed maps, real-time traffic updates, and turn-by-turn directions for various modes of transportation. Its versatility extends to aiding users in finding nearby businesses, landmarks, and points of interest. With the introduction of its new feature, Glanceable Directions, users can now receive turn-by-turn guidance and live ETA directly on their lock screens, enhancing the navigation experience. This feature, available on both Android and iOS devices, enables users to stay informed about their route without needing to unlock their phones constantly. By toggling on Glanceable Directions in the app settings, users gain access to real-time updates and route previews, optimizing their journey whether walking, driving, or biking.

The latest addition to Google Maps, the Glanceable Directions feature, is currently undergoing a global rollout, offering users real-time updates and turn-by-turn directions directly on their lock screens. Among the array of new features introduced for Maps last year, Glanceable Directions stands out. When activated, it provides users with crucial information, such as real-time ETA and turn-by-turn directions, directly on their lock screens. Although initially unveiled in February, updates on its availability were scarce until recently. Reportedly, Google is gradually making the new Glanceable Directions feature accessible to users worldwide.

Image Credit: Droid Life

A growing number of users worldwide, across various devices, are now gaining access to this feature with version 11.116 for Android and 6.104.2 on iOS. This feature empowers them to receive real-time updates, view estimated arrival times (ETA), and see the next turn directly on either the lock screen or the route overview screen. Such enhancements significantly enhance the overall navigation experience for users.

Moreover, users can now monitor their journey using the route overview feature in the latest Maps update, even without initiating detailed directions by pressing the Start button. This functionality proves valuable for confirming routes in familiar areas. Once activated, Maps automatically recalculates the route if the user deviates from it while walking, driving, or biking, adjusting the route preview accordingly. Ultimately, this new Google Maps feature empowers users to stay informed about their route and directions without the need to continually unlock their phone during their journey.

Image Credit: The Indian Express

It’s important to note that the glanceable feature on Google Maps is disabled by default. To activate the glanceable directions feature in Google Maps, follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Maps app on your device.

2. Tap on your profile icon located in the top right corner.

3. Select “Settings” from the menu.

4. Scroll down to find “Navigation settings.”

5. Look for the option labeled “Glanceable directions while navigating.”

6. Toggle the switch to enable this feature.

Following these steps will ensure that you can make use of the glanceable directions feature while navigating with Google Maps.

Meanwhile, Google Maps is undergoing a captivating AI-driven transformation, introducing a plethora of innovative features to provide users with a more immersive experience. Here are some of the features that Google has recently released or introduced to Maps in the past few months:

Introducing Immersive View:

This cutting-edge feature revolutionizes route exploration for users across various modes of transportation – be it driving, walking, or cycling. By selecting their desired directions and tapping into the Immersive View preview, users delve into a multidimensional experience complete with visual turn-by-turn directions. The accompanying time slider facilitates departure planning by simulating traffic and weather conditions. Currently, this feature is accessible for trips in cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, New York, and Tokyo, offering an enhanced navigation experience like never before.

Image Credit: Google Blog

Introducing Lens in Maps:

Formerly recognized as “Search with Live View,” this innovative feature seamlessly integrates AI and augmented reality (AR) to offer contextual insights about your environment. With a simple tap on the Lens icon within the search bar and lifting your phone, nearby amenities such as ATMs, transit stations, restaurants, and more are revealed through AR overlays. Google’s commitment to enhancing user experiences extends with the expansion of this feature to over 50 additional cities, including bustling metropolises like Austin, Las Vegas, and Rome, enriching navigation with intuitive, real-time information.

Enhanced Navigation:

Google Maps’ navigation experience is evolving to reflect the real world with greater accuracy. Through an immersive world view, users can anticipate vibrant colors, lifelike building representations, and updated lane details, all aimed at facilitating complex driving maneuvers. These navigation enhancements ensure a more intuitive and seamless journey for users navigating through dynamic environments.

Image Credit: Emizentech

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Integration:

In a bid to cater to the needs of electric vehicle (EV) drivers, Google Maps now provides real-time information about charging stations. This includes details such as compatibility with the user’s vehicle, charging speed options (fast, medium, or slow), and the timestamp of the station’s last usage. Such features aim to streamline the navigation experience for EV drivers, offering vital information to facilitate efficient and convenient charging during their journeys.

To summarize, Google Maps introduces Glanceable Directions, offering real-time updates and turn-by-turn guidance directly on users’ lock screens. This feature, available globally, enhances the navigation experience by providing crucial information without the need to constantly unlock phones. Users can enable Glanceable Directions in settings. Additionally, Maps’ latest enhancements include Immersive View for multidimensional exploration, Lens in Maps for AR-driven contextual insights, and improved navigation with realistic representations. Integration of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations further enhances user convenience. These advancements reflect Google Maps’ commitment to offering immersive, accurate, and user-friendly navigation solutions.

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Dinesh is an aspiring commerce graduate who enjoys reading about technology and exploring video games and expressing his views through writing on the experience he had which keeps him satisfied.

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